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Plant Guide

Best Plants for Memphis, Tennessee

📍 Memphis, TN 🌡️ USDA Zone 7b 🌱 348+ compatible plants

Gardening in Memphis

Memphis falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, which means your plants need to survive winters with minimum temperatures in the 0°F to 10°F range. The 348+ plants below are proven performers for your zone — including deer-resistant varieties, pet-friendly options, and pollinator-attracting species.

Top Plant Picks for Memphis

Japanese Silver Grass
Japanese Silver Grass
Miscanthus sinensis
One of the most ornamental grasses available, Japanese Silver Grass offers stunning fall plumes and winter interest. Choose sterile cultivars to minimize invasive spread in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Fast-germinating cool-season grass that establishes quickly and handles foot traffic well. Often mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for quick cover while bluegrass fills in.
Zone 5–8🐾 Pet-Friendly†
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June Hosta
June Hosta
Hosta 'June'
Lush, variegated leaves with creamy yellow centers brighten shady gardens from spring to summer. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-9 and is deer resistant.
Zone 3–9🐝 Pollinator
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Paperbark Maple
Paperbark Maple
Acer griseum
Striking cinnamon-red bark peels beautifully year-round, adding vibrant winter interest and rich autumn foliage. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 4-8 and is deer resistant.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
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Swamp White Oak
Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
Bright green leaves turn stunning golden-yellow in fall, adding seasonal interest from spring through autumn. This hardy oak thrives in USDA zones 3-9, tolerates wet soils, and resists deer damage.
Zone 4–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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Tri-Color Dappled Willow
Tri-Color Dappled Willow
Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki'
Vibrant pink and white foliage dazzles from June to September, adding striking color to any garden space. This low-maintenance, pollinator-attracting shrub thrives in USDA zones 4-9 and is both dog- and cat-friendly.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Bur Oak
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Massive, rugged leaves and striking acorn cups make Bur Oak a standout in fall with golden hues. This drought-tolerant giant thrives in USDA zones 2-8 and resists deer browsing.
Zone 3–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
Showy pink and white blooms from June to September make this shrub a stunning summer standout. Low-maintenance and deer resistant, it thrives in zones 4-9 while attracting pollinators.
Zone 4–9🐝 Pollinator
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Andromeda
Andromeda
Pieris floribunda
Clusters of delicate white to pink blooms brighten early spring with stunning color. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-8 and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal care.
Zone 5–8🦌 Deer-Resistant🐝 Pollinator
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Miscanthus Maiden Grass
Miscanthus Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis Gracillimus
Graceful, arching silver-green blades create stunning movement and texture from summer through fall. This low-maintenance ornamental grass thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and is highly deer resistant.
Zone 5–9🦌 Deer-Resistant🐾 Pet-Friendly†
View care guide →
Osmunda Royal Fern
Osmunda Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Lush, arching fronds create a stunning royal green display in spring through fall, adding vibrant texture to shaded gardens. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in USDA zones 4-9, attracts pollinators, and is safe for pets.
Zone 4–9🐾 Pet-Friendly†🐝 Pollinator
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Japanese Cherry
Japanese Cherry
Prunus serrulata Kwanzan
Striking double pink blossoms burst in spring, creating a stunning floral display that brightens any landscape. This low-maintenance tree thrives in USDA zones 5-8 and is moderately deer resistant.
Zone 5–9🐝 Pollinator
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Get a Personalized Plant List for Memphis

Answer 4 quick questions about your yard — sun, soil, deer pressure, and pet situation — and get a custom list of plants that will thrive in Zone 7b.

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Other Cities in Zone 7b

New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Nashville, TN Oklahoma City, OK Washington, DC Baltimore, MD Albuquerque, NM Raleigh, NC Tulsa, OK

Browse All 348+ Plants for Zone 7b

The 12 picks above are a sample. Use the full directory to filter by sun, water, deer resistance, and more.

View All Zone 7 Plants →

† "Pet-friendly" means not listed as toxic by ASPCA for dogs and/or cats. Always supervise pets around plants. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.